On Fri, Aug 9, 2024 at 10:32 AM, Dave Elson wrote:
The moon isn't above the horizon yet, and the HC correctly reported it as unavailable.
I tried a goto the sun (with the cover on) and the scope pointed downwards to the NW (the front of the scope is nearest to the camera). The sun is behind the scope in this picture.
I double checked the cables.
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You might have most of the settings right now if you are only a little way off from your targets now. Maybe don't mess with them anymore. When you were off 180 degrees yes, that's a simple Gemini setting error. If you are close but off several degrees on your initial GOTO this is more likely a polar alignment issue.?
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How do you get polar aligned? It looks like you are not able to get a direct line of sight to the north celestial pole. It is very difficult to get the RA axis aligned with the NCP without a direct line of sight to the NCP or a camera and software to help you achieve a good polar alignment using plate solving to blind guide you into polar alignment.?
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Your initial GOTOs are almost always going to be off until you get the Gemini a few accurate bright star positions to allow Gemini to build a correct sky model. Even with a very good polar alignment the initial GOTO can be off slightly.?
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
Chip Louie